In the United States, 16, 18 and 21 are very important ages in a person’s life. A person can do new things at each age to show that he or she is no longer a child. That means you are an adult.

After turning 16 in the United States, a person can be employed, get a driver’s license, and leave home. Many high school students learn to drive and get part-time jobs soon after celebrating their 16th birthday. At 18, people in the United States can vote and join the military (参军), but they are not allowed to go into nightclubs, to buy beer or wine until they are 21.

In many Latin American countries, a young woman’s 15th birthday is important. At this age, people think she is no longer a girl, but a woman. To mark this special day, families with 15-year-old daughters have a celebration called a quinceanera (成人礼). The young woman and her family will have a big party to which many guests are invited.

In Japan, boys and girls are thought to be adults at the age of 20. At this age, they are allowed to vote and drink beer or wine. The second Monday in January is a national holiday called the Coming-of-Age Day. On this day, 20-year-olds are invited to listen to speeches with their family. After that, many celebrate late into the night. In many countries, celebrations are always there, such as their 50th birthdays or the birth of their first child.

【小题1】People in the United States can vote and join the military when they are at the age of _______.

A．15

B．16

C．18

D．20

【小题2】According to the passage, which of the following can people do at the age of 16 in the United states?

A．Go to the college.	B．Hold a party.
C．Get a driver’s license.	D．Celebrate his or her birthday.

【小题3】In many Latin American countries, a young woman’s ________ birthday is important.

A．fifteenth

B．sixteenth

C．eighteenth

D．twentieth

【小题4】When is the Coming-of-Age Day?

A．The second Monday in January.

B．The third Monday in January.

C．The second Thursday in January.

D．The third Thursday in February.

【小题5】What is the main idea of the passage?

A．The age of adulthood is too young in some places but too old in others.

B．Being a young person in Latin America is easier than in Japan or the U.S.

C．Celebrations are always there and important in a person’s life.

D．Special ages and celebrations show a person is becoming an adult.